Kia's toughest challenge

At just ten months old Kia Gott is already facing the toughest challenge of her short life, after contracting meningitis

The beautiful baby girl from Wyke, West Yorkshire, is facing the prospect of having all four limbs amputated, in a bid to stop the deadly infection spreading. But the devastating after effects of this disease don’t stop there – Kia’s parents have been told that she will most likely be blind and deaf, and have brain damage.

Four weeks ago Kia was a healthy, happy baby, joining her siblings for a family photo at their school. Later that week Kia’s mum Vikki took her to their GP as she ‘was not herself’.

The next day she developed a rash on her face, neck and chest, and suffered a cardiac arrest as paramedics were treating her.

Kia was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary, before later being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Leeds General Infirmary. It was here that doctors broke the devastating news that Kia had contracted meningococcal septicaemia and would need all four of her limbs amputated.

Claire Donovan, Head of Information and Research at Meningitis Now said: “Men C is a very rare type of meningitis and there are only 30 to 40 cases a year. There are vaccines available within the NHS programme, so make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations.”

“There aren’t vaccines available for all types of meningitis so even if your children have had all the vaccines, it's really essential to be aware of the signs of meningitis and seek urgent medical help if you have any concerns that your child may be developing any of these symptoms.”

After news of the devastating situation spread, a crowd funding page was set up to help the family. Donations have been flooding in from kind hearted people, and the total currently stands at a fantastic £20,760.

This money will make a big difference to the family as Kia’s dad Paul is self-employed. He said: “We would like to thank family, friends, the people of Wyke, and people who don’t even know me or my family for donating to Kia’s fund. We have to cope with the situation and you have all helped to take away the additional financial worries while we are with our daughter through this critical time.”